What’s it about?
It’s Friday night and for 11 year-old Ben that means only one thing – being bundled off to stay with granny! He knows exactly what to expect – cabbage soup, cabbage pie, cabbage cake and endless games of Scrabble that are sooo boring! But, on one such evening, Ben stumbles across a tightly kept secret about his granny that livens up his Fridays more than he could have ever imagined and opens his eyes to the real, interesting character that’s lies beyond the curly perm and slippers. His granny is a Gangsta Granny! Together they embark on an adventure that brings them closer together than ever before. This much-loved story by writer and comedian David Walliams began as a best-selling book before being adapted into a BBC film. The acclaimed producers of the ever-popular Horrible Histories have now brought it to the stage as a live show that my young reviewers tell me sticks faithfully to the book and all of their favourite parts.
Who’s in it?
It’s a small cast of just eight, with some cast members playing multiple parts. Ashley Cousins plays a very loveable Ben and Gilly Tompkins is perfect as the granny with a glint in her eye and a skeleton (or diamond) or two in her closet! We also especially liked Ben’s ballroom dancing-obsessed mum, played by Rachel Stanley, who added sassiness and sparkles throughout.
What’s good about it?
What’s not good about it? Say Nina and Ruby in response to this question! David Walliams has a real knack of connecting with kids – not just tickling them with regular toilet jokes and bonkers characters but also touching them with real issues they can relate to, like just how special granny really is. Gangsta Granny is funny and touching is equal measures and that’s what makes it such a hit with me. A few of Nina and Ruby’s highlights were the sets moving around, creating endless new scenes from just a few boxes spread across the stage, Ben and Granny’s attempt to steal the crown jewels after breaking in the Tower of London, Ben’s realisation that his granny hadn’t been born an old lady and Granny’s naked yoga …
Who should see it?
Nina and Ruby advise it’s best for anyone aged five to 12, but there’s plenty to keep the parents in the audience entertained too – not to mention the grannies! And it doesn’t matter if you’ve not read the book, you’re just in for more of a surprise!
When is it on?
You’ll need to grab your tickets quickly if you’re not already booked, as Gangsta Granny is here for just five days – until May 14.
